Best time of year to begin

[KDailey]

Really? When I checked out their website just a few days ago it showed that pretty much everything was sold out or very limited availablility (and those happened to ones I didn't want)

 

[ChikeeMomma]

I always buy mine in the spring. I'd say you'd be okay anytime as long as you had a very warm place to keep them warm until they are completely feathered out. Some people keep them in the basement or heated garage until they can go out to the coop. I, personally, had to keep mine in the garage for a few weeks this spring because it was so cold out still. It's not my favorite thing to do. They are messy, dusty little creatures. That's why I like brooding them right out in the coop, but you can't do that when it's 18 degrees out at night.

That's why I had them in the garage for 3 weeks.

 

[AlienChick]

Quote:
The "best" time of year to purchase chicks is obviously the Spring due to the huge availability and the nicer weather.

If you can provide adequate heating arrangements during winter months, you can purchase chicks any time of year.

The pickins will be slimmer during the fall/winter, but you can certainly find someone who has something to sell.

And local pick-up would be preferred during the winter months as shipping chicks when it's cold is not good.

 

[Fred's Hens]

I love September chicks. The brutal hot days of summer are past. The cool nights require a heat lamp, but I brood in the barn and they are just fine. By Thanksgiving, they are fully feathered and by New Year's Day they are full grown, and take the winter just fine. Their youthful vigor helps, I believe. Mine even started laying pretty well by end of January.

Got these last Sept. 9th, if I remember correctly. I'd do it again in a heart beat.

 

[JoieD]

WoW! Thanks for the warm welcome by giving me some great information and things to think about. I believe I am going to go for it. I thought about adults, but my boys just left home and I think I need something to baby right now. Finding what I would like will be difficult, I can see that. I would like to find a couple Morans, a few Silverlace and some EasterEggers for a total of 6-8, but doesn't look promising. I'm sure I will find the perfect chicks for me though. Wish me luck !

 

[Fred's Hens]

Here's a thought. Get some "generic" type chicks now. In spring, you can get anything. Personally, it is nice to start with a slightly smaller number as you "learn the ropes" so to speak.

 

[jmtcmkb]

I took my chances and ordered 5 chicks that are cold tolerant and docile which is what I am looking for!

Hopefullly things will go our way! Thanks for the informations

 

[JoieD]

Me Tooo !! I ordered 10 from a hatchery in Mason Ohio. My sister is going to take 4 of them when they are ready to leave the brooder. I have so much to do! Thank You Everyone.

 

[FrankDegamma]

I was in same boat a few weeks ago...new coop chicken newbie in central PA worried about winter. though wanted to roll with it (and kids did too). Read about everything on these boards (thanks) and ordered a bakers dozen from MPC that arrived 2 weeks ago. Kids having blast with them and run to coop after school. The recent cool nights have been tough to regulate the temp in coop, either too cold or too hot during day...though I got it figured out since I added a solid coop door ( it was screen door). and 2nd 250w lamp. Lil buggers are starting to fly about so I may soon give them run of the entire coop (any thoughts about this?). Regulating the temp has driven me bonkers til I figured wth, lamp in corner they can adjust to what temp they desire based on distance to it...so I stopped measuring the temp constantly and adjusting lamp height. Dont plan on insulating, just heated water dispenser for them. Here some pics of the peeps in coop....enjoy yours when the arrive. Willy

 

[saladin]

Hopefully this will help you out:

Generally speaking (you see that word generally):

Spring chicks will grow better than Summer hatched chicks.

Fall chicks have a tougher time than any.

Personally, I like chicks hatched from Christmas until mid-March.

I have and do hatch all year long. I do not hatch chicks from June until the end of September. They are just to hard to raise and do not develop as well as other chicks. They also tend to be smaller as adults.